Chapter 410: Honey Crystal Tea and Troublemakers

The subtle way the small characters on the Sword Intent Scroll concealed themselves was inherent. Sometimes, Ji Yuan easily overlooked them if he wasn't careful. It was only after he became familiar with them that these characters became "visible" to him.

As expected of Ju Yuanzi, a Grand Master of Mount Yuhuai who had cultivated for seven or eight hundred years, his cultivation was profound, only slightly less than that of the old beggar back then. He actually vaguely sensed the gaze of the small characters.

He frowned, looking at the tree. After a moment of scrutiny, he became somewhat uncertain, as if it were just an illusion. However, for someone of Ju Yuanzi's cultivation level, there was no such thing as a "mere illusion."

He then found a reasonable explanation for himself, thinking it was probably due to the inherently extraordinary jujube tree. It was said that this jujube tree had already gained spiritual intelligence, and although it hadn't yet condensed into a spirit, it was, after all, the jujube tree of Ju'an Pavilion, so it must be extraordinary.

The vague sense of being watched he felt just now must have originated from this jujube tree.

However, as long as Ju Yuanzi didn't ask, Ji Yuan pretended not to notice, pouring a steaming cup of tea for everyone present, regardless of their age.

As Ji Yuan poured the tea, he observed the people. Ju Yuanzi and Qiu Feng went without saying. He was meeting Daoist Yang Ming for the first time and found him to be outwardly a serious and rigid person. However, judging by the situation with the two young disciples back then, he should be very protective of his own.

Shang Yiyi was increasingly poised and radiant, though still a little reserved, speaking her thanks in a soft voice. Wei Yuansheng had grown into a sturdy teenager; while no longer as adorably chubby as before, he remained lively.

As for Wei Wuwei, he still looked the same, but his inner ambition had changed, which was evident from his aura.

When it was Wei Yuansheng's turn for tea, he quickly raised his teacup to receive it. For ordinary people, this would easily scald their hands, but since those present were not ordinary, Ji Yuan poured the tea for him while holding the teapot.

Before this, Wei Yuansheng had already eaten a few pieces of pastry from the table. He could only say the taste was acceptable, nothing special. Now, smelling the tea, he found it likewise unexceptional, and devoid of any spiritual energy.

Wei Yuansheng wasn't disappointed. His eyes darted around, and while still receiving the tea, he spoke up.

"Mr. Ji, our Wei family has several tea plantations and many excellent teas. How about I have someone send you some later? Also, you know the skill of our Wei family's pastry chefs. How about I send two of them to Ning'an County, specifically to make things for you to eat? They wouldn't stay at Ju'an Pavilion; we could buy them a house in the county town."

Wei Yuansheng said this with a laugh, making it sound like a joke, but if Ji Yuan were to nod, it would undoubtedly be implemented immediately.

Ji Yuan put down the teapot and chuckled.

"You rascal, are you implying that my tea isn't good and my pastries aren't tasty!"

"How could that be? Yuansheng just thinks that the best can't be bought in Ning'an County. While Desheng Prefecture isn't much better, our Wei family certainly has the very best. Isn't that right, Father?"

Wei Wuwei "coughed, coughed" twice, then smiled and cupped his hands apologetically to Ji Yuan.

"Mr. Ji, please forgive him. Children don't know how to speak properly!"

"Hahaha, you, the head of the Wei family, are more cunning than a ghost. You apologize with your mouth, but in your heart, you know I'm not angry. Alright, alright, since it's your first visit close to the New Year, I'll let you taste something good."

Ji Yuan was in a good mood and chuckled as he returned to the kitchen.

As soon as Ji Yuan left, Wei Wuwei immediately cuffed Wei Yuansheng on the head. The latter yelped and grabbed Qiu Feng's hand.

"Master, my father hit me!"

"You deserved it! You don't know your place in front of elders!"

Qiu Feng chided him with a smile, but his face also held a playful grin. He wasn't pleased that Wei Yuansheng was being sly, but rather that he clearly recognized his beloved disciple's familiarity with Mr. Ji, allowing him to make such jokes without any psychological burden.

Qiu Feng was well aware that even he and his senior brother Yang Ming, let alone Senior Ju Yuanzi, might not dare to be so unreserved.

"My nephew is eloquent. Mr. Wei has taught him well!"

Daoist Yang Ming said to Wei Wuwei, who simply smiled.

"Hehehehe, children are lively, and Mount Yuhuai is vibrant with youth..."

Ju Yuanzi also stroked his beard in admiration, but just as he was about to speak again, he suddenly looked up nervously at the treetop. He seemed to have felt a rustling sound up there, like faint, fragmented breaths, or perhaps very low and brief chaotic laughter.

"Grand Master Ju, what are you looking at?"

Yang Ming asked, also looking up closely at the treetop. He then truly discovered something special: he saw a faint glow in a certain spot among the branches and leaves, and upon closer inspection, he could discern a touch of crimson.

Fire jujubes!

An understanding arose in Yang Ming's heart. Rumor had it that the jujube tree in Mr. Ji's Ju'an Pavilion had long since come into its own, not only imbued with spiritual intelligence but also a rare spiritual root tree.

A "spiritual root tree" refers to a plant that can truly bear spiritual fruits.

This isn't something just any plant can achieve. Even if an orange tree gains sentience, it doesn't necessarily become a spiritual root tree. While the oranges it bears would certainly contain some spiritual energy, the gap between them and true spiritual fruits could be vast, perhaps more than a hundred thousand li.

The spiritual fruits of a spiritual root tree each possess their own wondrous qualities. Their realization requires the spiritual tree's inherent talent and a very small probability of a catalyst. This catalyst isn't necessarily influenced by abundant spiritual energy or powerful magical abilities; the reason could be very small or very large, a profound and mysterious influence. It's quite possible that someone playing a zither under the tree could be the catalyst, or it might only come to fruition after a disaster like a lightning strike.

"Grand Master Ju, are you looking at those fire jujubes?"

Ju Yuanzi lowered his head and, seeing that everyone around him was looking up at the treetop because of his actions, shook his head and said.

"I have long heard of the fire jujubes, and seeing them today, they are indeed extraordinary. You, with shallower cultivation, might not feel much, but this Ju'an Pavilion is absolutely not simple."

Ju Yuanzi looked towards the kitchen and whispered.

"We are under the jujube tree, and the spiritual energy is so dense it's almost comparable to our Yuhuai Sacred Realm. Moreover, it exhibits the phenomenon of wood producing fire, refining body and soul and nourishing spirituality. This jujube tree plays a monumental role."

"Ah? Spiritual energy?"

Shang Yiyi asked in confusion. In fact, not just her, but Wei Yuansheng and Wei Wuwei also looked puzzled, and even Qiu Feng and Yang Ming frowned.

"Hehe, that's why I said the Pavilion isn't simple. How could Mr. Ji's residence allow you to easily discern its secrets? The plaque outside conceals divine light, and the area it covers divides heaven and earth into two realms, reality and illusion. What you perceive is merely one of them!"

Ju Yuanzi smiled wordlessly, then his gaze shifted back to the treetop.

Could what I felt just now be... those fire jujubes?

As this thought emerged, Ju Yuanzi himself was startled. If spiritual fruits were so potent, it would be too astonishing!

But once the thought arose, the more he considered it, the more likely it seemed. After all, his previous sensations were rather fragmented and complex; to attribute them solely to one miraculous jujube tree seemed a bit far-fetched. If it were the ninety-nine fire jujubes, that would be about right...

"Apologies for the wait, everyone."

Ji Yuan's voice interrupted everyone's thoughts. He had emerged from the kitchen, holding a small, lidded ceramic pot.

"Everyone, finish the tea you have, and then try this!"

Ji Yuan said this, opened the teapot lid, then opened the ceramic pot, and used a small spoon to scoop two spoonfuls of something into the teapot.

Everyone saw clearly that it was distinctly tiny, crystalline granules, from which a faint, special sweet aroma wafted.

"Mr., what is this?"

Wei Yuansheng asked, puzzled. He also felt that it resembled sugar, but it was definitely not ordinary.

Ji Yuan was reluctant to add too much, so after just two small spoonfuls, he immediately covered the ceramic pot and looked up at the jujube tree canopy.

"The jujube tree in my courtyard doesn't bloom every year. When the jujube flowers bloomed previously, they attracted swarms of bees to collect pollen and make honey. This substance is that fire jujube honey crystal, and it seems to have some unique, miraculous properties."

Ji Yuan picked up the teapot, which had only half a pot of tea left, and shook it to dissolve the sugar.

"Come, try this tea again."

Saying this, he poured tea for everyone again, and the teapot was exactly empty when he finished.

When this cup of tea was poured, it didn't seem particularly special in the teapot, but once it was poured into the cups, a rich aroma diffused, making those with less self-control unconsciously swallow.

After his cup was filled with the new tea, Wei Yuansheng couldn't resist taking two big gulps. He felt a burst of sweetness in his mouth that was not at all cloying. Moreover, a gentle warmth flowed through his mouth before permeating his body, making him feel warm and comfortable.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. This time we came, besides wishing you an early New Year, also to confirm your visit to Mount Yuhuai so we can prepare."

Daoist Yang Ming also said.

"Indeed, Mr. Since this is your first time visiting Mount Yuhuai, we dare not be remiss. We made a special early visit."

Ji Yuan took a sip of his own tea, savored the wonderfully sweet taste, and only then replied, satisfied.

"Hehe, no need to make any special preparations. I'm not going to seize your Mountain Seal Talisman. I'm just going to discuss the trip to Hengzhou with you. If you came all this way just to talk it over, I might reconsider going to Mount Yuhuai."

Ju Yuanzi was visibly taken aback.

"Uh... hehe, Mr. Ji is joking."

"Yes, yes, yes, Mr. please don't joke. Mount Yuhuai truly welcomes your visit."

Qiu Feng was a little anxious. How could Mr. Ji not go? It was Wei Yuansheng who dared to speak the most. After draining his tea, he refused his father's offer to give him more and interjected.

"Mr. Ji, you can't go back on your word! Everyone on Mount Yuhuai knows you're coming. If you don't go after we've visited, wouldn't they blame us? That would be so unfair to us!"

Shang Yiyi also softly "mm-hmmed" from the side.

"Hahaha, just kidding, just kidding..."

Ji Yuan laughed once, then looked seriously at Ju Yuanzi.

"When will Mount Yuhuai depart? Will you take me along?"

"If Mr. wishes to go, Mount Yuhuai naturally wouldn't dare to be slow. Please rest assured, we will call on you when the time comes to journey together."

At this point, Ju Yuanzi hesitated for a moment, but still revealed a hidden detail.

"Actually, our Mount Yuhuai hasn't attended the Immortal Gathering for twelve decades. Of course, even if our Mount Yuhuai isn't particularly ambitious, we always receive invitations. However, there was a commotion caused by my junior brother Ziyu during a Daoist debate at the Immortal Gathering back then, which is why we skipped it twice. This time, with your invitation, it just so happens to be when we were planning to return, a true twist of fate!"

Ji Yuan looked at Ju Yuanzi's sincere smile and couldn't help but think to himself, "I believed your lies!" It seemed Mount Yuhuai had likely not intended to go this time.

"Who is this Daoist Ziyu, and is he still on Mount Yuhuai? He seems to cause a lot of trouble!"

Ji Yuan couldn't help but ask, remembering that this person also seemed to have appeared when the old dragon transformed, causing the old dragon to resent Mount Yuhuai...

"Hehe, ever since Dragon Lord attacked Mount Yuhuai, Junior Brother Ziyu hasn't returned to Mount Yuhuai."

Ji Yuan chuckled.

"He certainly is a troublemaker!"